Mifflin’s Bryce Detwiler earns top award, creates lasting memories at Big 26 Classic

By  Sean McBryan — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent

HARRISBURG — Gov. Mifflin’s Bryce Detwiler was one of only two sophomores to earn a roster spot for Team Pennsylvania in the Big 26 Classic, a showcase event featuring the top high school baseball players from PA and Maryland.

Detwiler’s lack of experience didn’t stop him from being name Pennsylvania’s Player of the Series for the three-game series, which ended Sunday with Maryland winning11-1 at FNB Field in Harrisburg.

Detwiler, an infielder and pitcher, went 4-for-9 with four RBIs and two runs scored and pitched two shutout innings, with two strikeouts, over the three-game series, which Maryland won 2-1.

“It was an extreme honor to win PA Player of the Series because there was a lot of talent on the team,” said Detwiler, the lone sophomore on the All-Berks team in the spring.

The 6-1 rising junior had an RBI double and diving catch at third base ala Nolan Arenado in an 11-7 loss Friday and had two extra-base hits and three RBIs in an 11-7 Game 2 victory Saturday. He was named PA’s Player of the Game.

Muhlenberg’s Cam Burr, Exeter’s Alex Kelsey, Berks Catholic’s Parker Nein and Oley Valley’s Paul Petersen joined Detwiler on Team PA.

They played in front of coaches from Bucknell, Catholic University, Elizabethtown, Gettysburg, Goldy-Beacom, Hood College, Kutztown University, Mount St. Mary’s, Penn State, UMBC, West Chester, William & Mary, York College and more.

Detwiler has heard from the University of Connecticut, where former Mifflin teammate Tyler Minick will be a freshman, and Millersville University. He’ll hear from more, to be sure.

He had an incredible sophomore season, going 7-1 on the mound with a 2.55 ERA to help the Mustangs go 18-5 and win the Berks League championship. He was also one of the top hitters in the league, with a .403 batting average, 1.212 OPS, five homers and 31 runs scored.

Each of the five Berks players recognized the opportunity to make a splash in front of college coaches.

The most meaningful part of the weekend, they said, was taking part in the Buddy Program, which connects the athletes with individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities; they build relationships through pre-game introductions and various on-field activities.

“It was a blessing to be a part of the Buddy Program because we get to do this sport every day,” Detwiler said. “They don’t, so it is an amazing experience to see those kids with all the smiles and just happy to be able to play the sport they all love.”

Kelsey, making his second consecutive appearance for Team PA, also realized the difference the Buddy Program can make in someone’s life, even just for a weekend.

“Being a part of the Buddy Program really opens up your eyes and really makes you think,” Kelsey said. “It means the world to those kids; they look up to us like we are their Bryce Harper, which means a lot to me.”

Kelsey, who holds scholarship offers from Bucknell, Wilmington, and Millersville, provided what he typically does for Exeter: uber athleticism that produces rangy coverage in center field and elite baserunning to steal bases/score runs. 

Kelsey was an All-Berks pick who batted .410 for Exeter and was among the league leaders in on-base percentage, slugging percentage and stolen bases. He’s been playing this summer for the Berks Bulls.

He batted leadoff and scored from first on Detwiler’s RBI double in the bottom of the ninth Friday as Team PA attempted a comeback bid in the four-run inning. The 6-foot outfielder is headed to the East Coast Pro in Hoover, Ala., next week.

Petersen, an All-Berks pick as a junior who has an offer from Kutztown, batted second Friday.

“It was great,” Petersen said. “I had all the confidence that Alex would get on before me. All I was thinking was do my job, get him over, put one in the gap or the outfield.”

Burr got on base multiple times throughout the weekend with walks and base hits, while also making solid plays at second base; he holds an offer from Kutztown and wants to play in the PSAC; he said he has his eye on Millersville.

“The little things really matter to the college coaches,” Burr said. “We were down pretty big (Friday), so just trying to come back and chipping away at the lead was important. Just do the small things to try and give us a chance to win.”

Nein, an all-division pick for the Saints, pitched a flawless sixth inning Friday and pitched the first two innings Saturday.

The 6-2 rising senior came into Friday’s game with PA trailing 10-1 but didn’t allow that to affect his game or intensity. Nein walked the first batter, forced a flyout and punched out the last two batters with strikeouts before letting out a “Yeah!” that could be heard throughout the stadium in hopes of motivating his team.

“I was just going out there to throw strikes and after I punched the last two kids out it was electric so I had to let that out,” Nein said.

Nein has the least experience of the Berks boys playing in a minor league stadium; Exeter, Mifflin, Muhlenberg, and Oley have all played in the BCIAA quarterfinals at the Reading Fightins’ FirstEnergy Stadium during the past two seasons.

It was special, Nein said, to see his name up on the big screen in a stadium where the Class AA Harrisburg Senators play.

“It’s awesome,” Nein said. “It’s an honor. I love this. I live for it.”

The five Berks boys completed a special weekend that will provide lasting memories.

“It was nice seeing how good Berks County is and how we could all compete out here,” Detwiler said. “It was amazing because it just shows how much hard work it takes to get here, make the team, and be able to play in a stadium like this.”